Baxter Brewing expands, city focuses on downtown development

LEWISTON, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- As Baxter Brewing Company begins construction of its $2 million expansion, Lewistoncity officials say it's the kind of downtown economic development they want to encourage.

The brewery in theBates Mill Complex will be expanding space by 400 percent, and doubling its staff by April.

"It's been a crazy couple years, definitely, but it's beenexciting," saidFounder and President Luke Livingston, who just celebrated the company's two-year anniverarylast week.

CityCouncilors in both Lewiston and Auburn expressed support for downtown economic development in a joint city council meeting this Monday.